Tagged: thriller
Book Blast: Stranger at Sunset by Eden Baylee
A vacation can be a killer.
Dr. Kate Hampton, a respected psychiatrist, gathers with a group of strangers at her favorite travel spot, Sunset Villa in Jamaica. Included in the mix are friends of the owners, a businessman with dubious credentials, and a couple who won the trip from a TV game show.
It is January 2013, following the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. The luxury resort is struggling, not from the storm, but due to a scathing review from caustic travel writer, Matthew Kane. The owners have invited him back with hopes he will pen a more favorable review to restore their reputation.
Even though she is haunted by her own demons, Kate feels compelled to help. She sets out to discover the motivation behind Kane’s vitriol. Used to getting what he wants, has the reviewer met his match in Kate? Or has she met hers?
Stranger at Sunset is a slow-burning mystery/thriller as seen through the eyes of different narrators, each with their own murky sense of justice. As Kate’s own psychological past begins to unravel, a mysterious stranger at Sunset may be the only one who can save her.
Eden Baylee left a twenty-year banking career to become a full-time writer. She incorporates many of her favorite things into her writing such as: travel; humor; music; poetry; art; and much more.
Stranger at Sunset is her first mystery novel, on the heels of several books of erotic anthologies and short stories. She writes in multiple genres.
An introvert by nature and an extrovert by design, Eden is most comfortable at home with her laptop surrounded by books. She is an online Scrabble junkie and a social media enthusiast, but she really needs to get out more often!
To stay apprised of Eden’s book-related news, please add your name to her mailing list.
The Cult of Me by Michael Brookes
(Cover picture courtesy of M.R. Gott’s Cutis Anserina.)
For years he dwelt apart. With his unique ability he invades and destroys their lives. Now, bored of the game he decides to enact a bloody last stand, but while preparing his plan in prison he discovers he’s not as unique as he once thought.
[Full disclosure: Michael Brookes sent me a free ebook in exchange for an honest review.]
Well, I certainly can’t accuse Michael Brookes of relying on clichés too much because just when I thought I knew how things were going to end, he changed everything up. Yes, there was the whole villain reluctantly working for the good guys to save the world aspect, but there are so many twists on this trope that I can’t fault him for that.
The story starts off with our unnamed narrator in prison, feeling very smug about himself. Through events at the prison and flashbacks (but never in the same chapter so it isn’t confusing!) we learn that he has incredible psychic powers. He can control people’s minds and even kill people with just the power of his own mind, which he discovered on the night of his mother’s murder. The flashbacks that happen every other chapter allow us to slowly realized what caused him to acquire his present smug, brilliantly evil attitude. From a psychological standpoint, it’s fascinating.
I wasn’t really sure where Michael Brookes was going with this until he delved into the whole coming apocalypse angle. That wasn’t that surprising or unique. However, his approach to the apocalypse was in that the man trying to bring it about is one you’d never, ever think of on your own. The best part about this scenario is that Michael Brookes presents it so that both readers who are familiar with the Bible and readers who aren’t can understand it. You don’t have to be a theologian or even Christian to help piece together the puzzle.
My only real complaint about The Cult of Me was that things could have been proofread better. There are times where quotation marks face the wrong way or shouldn’t be there and missing periods, which are more likely run-on sentences. Still, I wasn’t so distracted that I didn’t enjoy the book and I think Michael Brookes has a great idea here going with The Cult of Me. I can’t wait to see what the next book brings after that huge cliffhanger.
I give this book 4/5 stars.
*Not currently available.
Blog Tour: Omar by Craig Thompson
OMAR
By Craig Thompson
OMAR: A Novel (A Cary Parker Thriller)
Synopsis: In 1995, CIA/FBI jointly discover plans to recover a trove of priceless treasure from deep below the North Atlantic Ice Barrier, aboard RMS Titanic. Ultra-zealous terrorist divers compete against others, and set off a complex web of international intrigue and suspense. CIA’s Colonel Bramson recruits Dr. Cary Parker, Woods Hole oceanographer / archaeologist, to beat both teams to Titanic’s grave. And a wave of worldwide terrorism is set into motion at 2077 fathoms, as a rare, priceless book and lost treasure becomes the primary focus of a triadic search. Parker, challenges the terrorists on his own turf, and what follows is an epic adventure of legendary proportions.
Q & A with Craig
Who inspired you to become a writer?
My mother set an example for me. In 1970, she published a series of small books that documented the history of the now beatified monk—Father Junipero Serra—and his journey throughout the state of California, to establish Catholic missions.
Written in sonnet form, her books were used as the basis for producing spectacular pageants, throughout the State of California, in celebration of its Bicentennial. Copies of “Sonnets to Serra” now reside at the Vatican library in Rome.
During nearly thirty-five of my earlier years, I had been writing pretty much for myself or, as owner of my own advertising and marketing firm, under client contracts. Years of writing copy for regional and national advertising markets—and for public relations campaigns—rounded out my ability to express my ideas.
Privately, I started with poetry and lyrical works—eventually encouraged and inspired by Illinois’ Poet Laureate and Pulitzer prize-winning poet, the late Gwendolyn Brooks. Ms. Brooks volunteered to personally review my poetry over dinner and lunch, one weekend, to discuss her favorites. During our time together, she also offered suggestions to improve several others.
Further encouragement came from an old friend, who recently passed away… renowned composer-pianist, Roger Williams—the first pianist ever to receive a gold record. On two occasions, Roger attempted to get my more lyrical pieces published within the recording industry. But times had changed, by then, and he reported my work was considered “too romantic”, for that moment in time.
Additional inspiration came from studio executive and comedienne, Lucille Ball. While working in post-production, at Desilu Studios, I wrote a script for “The Lucy Show” (not the original “I Love Lucy”). She personally read the script, rejected it, but told me not to give up writing. While I was artistic-producing director for the Lucille Ball Studio Theater, she continued to encourage my creative abilities.
As a member of the National Speaker’s Association and International Platform Association, I was first published in an anthology titled “Star Spangled Speakers”. In the book, officially dedicated and presented to President Reagan, was a copy of my speech on decision-making.
Following on these experiences, I decided it was time to move on to larger literary pursuits. My first novel is actually my second. The original, a science-fiction fantasy thriller, was put on hold when the idea developed for my suspense-thriller—OMAR.
You can help Craig
OMAR
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